Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met in Beijing on Wednesday with former President of the EU Commission Romano Prodi.

Wang spoke highly of the efforts Prodi has made to promote the Sino-EU relations and Sino-Italian relations, as well as the friendship between political parties and peoples of China and Italy.

"The sound development of the Sino-EU relations and Sino-Italian relations owes a lot to the efforts of China's old friends and those statesmen with breadth of vision," Wang said.

Prodi said he had visited China many times in the past 25 years, and followed China's development. As a retired statesman, he will continue to play an active role in promoting the Sino-EU relations and Sino-Italian relations.

Prodi, also former Italian Premier, served as EU Commission President from 1999 to 2004.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2008)